The New South Wales and Northern Territory governments have recently recommitted funding to the Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI) indigenous eye health programs through the Visiting Optometrist Scheme. This will allow BHVI to continue its regular free eye examinations and access optical solutions for Aboriginal communities.
BHVI works with Aboriginal eye health practitioners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to strengthen the connections between optometrists and their local communities. In the last four years BHVI has provided 39,920 individual eye examinations and 27,204 pairs of glasses to Indigenous Australians.
Christine Corby OAM, Chief Executive Officer, Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service (WAMS) said they “are delighted to continue working with the exceptional team at BHVI to continue delivering these incredible important services to our Aboriginal Communities,”
The funding coincides with the implementation of BHVI’s new strategic roadmap which aims to renew the way the institute interacts with stakeholders and the public.
BHVI acknowledged that streamlining the organisation has enabled greater focus on the endeavours within the Foundation. Under the leadership of CEO Yvette Waddell, BHVI continues to develop technology and deliver services to stem the myopia epidemic.
